RURAL HOUSING ACT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20991, 19 December 1939, Page 10

RURAL HOUSING ACT

COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION WAIPA- BODY’S ACTION COMMENT BY COUNTY CLERK (Times Special Reporter) TE AWAMUTU, Monday. Approval of the principle of the Rural Housing Act, 1939, was expressed in a motion carried at the monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council today after comment on the been received from the clerk, Mr T. Grant. However, with a view to safeguarding the interests of the general body of ratepayers the council desired, before committing itself, to examine certain apparent objections to the Act and regulations made thereunder. For such purposes it requested the finance committee to meet early in the New Year and, if necessary, to approach the State Advances Corporation with the object of clarifying any doubtful provisions and of making recommendations for the successful administration of the legislation. “The : Act does not bind the Crown,” said Mr Grant in his report. “There is no provision for a penal charge should default be made in payment of instalments on the advances as they fall due, and there is no provision for a discount or a rebate to encourage prompt payments.” Contrary to the procedure under an ordinary mortgage under the Housing Act a demand must be served upon the borrower, and 14 days must elapse before steps could be taken to recover the amount due through the law courts, he said. First-hand Knowledge Information in relation to the Act was received from the State Advances Corporation. “They point out,” said Mr Grant, ’’that councillors will have first-hand knowledge of the urgent need that exists for a measure of improvement to be effected in rural housing conditions, and it is hoped that the Act as now passed and the financial provisions which have been made to implement the legislation, will enable some progress to be made in the improvement of existing conditions. Continuing, they state that it is particularly desired to obtain the active co-operation of county councils, and feel that it will be freely extended. Local authorities have an active part to play in the new scheme, and the first-hand knowledge of local conditions and of the personal factor of i potential borrowers will make for successful administration. “The writers also draw attention to the general powers of county councils whereby loans may be raised for the purpose of financing group housing schemes,” he stated.